Lithium Americas Soars 90% After U.S. Acquires 10% Stake Under Trump-Brokered Deal

Lithium Americas' stock surged 90% following confirmation that the U.S. government will acquire a 10% stake in the company. The move is part of a broader strategy by the TRUMP administration to renegotiate terms of a $2.26 billion DOE loan tied to the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada. Federal officials are leveraging the financing to secure equity in what they deem critical infrastructure for national security.

The Thacker Pass mine, positioned 25 miles from the Oregon border, is slated to become the Western Hemisphere's largest lithium source upon its 2028 operational launch. Over 600 workers are currently developing the site, which Washington views as pivotal for securing domestic battery supply chains.

This intervention mirrors previous Trump-era equity plays in Intel and MP Materials. A WHITE House official stated: "President Trump supports this project. He wants it to succeed and also be fair to taxpayers. But there's no such thing as free money." The original 24-year loan was approved under Biden with Treasury-linked interest rates.